A humanitarian group, Equipping The Persecuted, has warned of an alleged plot to attack northern communities on Christmas Day, claiming terrorists are regrouping around Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and Kaduna borders.
The alert was raised by the group’s founder, Judd Saul, at a Washington DC roundtable attended by US lawmakers and officials discussing Nigeria’s insecurity and alleged killings of Christians.
Saul said, “They are gathering forces around the Plateau and Nasarawa border… They are planning to hit on Christmas Day in Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan and Agatu.” He added, “We got very reliable information that they are weaponising for a Christmas Day massacre.” Nigerian security sources confirmed awareness of the report, saying preventive measures and intensified intelligence-gathering were underway.
The Presidency dismissed the alert as doubtful, warning against spreading fear. Presidential aide Temitope Ajayi said, “We should be very careful how we digest and process some of these doubtful reports,” adding that security agencies were capable of foiling any threat.
Meanwhile, Middle Belt and Southern Kaduna groups urged reinforced security, citing past festive-period attacks.